The important thing is that we eventually sit down in front of the Gohonzon and chant daimoku. On the other hand, if we’re going to sit in front of the Gohonzon eventually anyway, then it is much faster to start out by doing just that. We have to directly connect with the Gohonzon. This is the path whereby an ordinary person can easily become a Buddha; this is faith.The Daishonin says: “What is called faith is nothing unusual. Faith means putting one’s trust in the Lotus Sutra, Shakyamuni, Many Treasures, the Buddhas and bodhisattvas of the ten directions, and the heavenly gods and benevolent deities, and chanting Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as a woman cherishes her husband, as a man lays down his life for his wife, as parents refuse to abandon their children, or as a child refuses to leave its mother” (WND, 1036).This is what is meant by “honestly discarding expedient means” (LS2, 44) and “not accepting a single verse of the other sutras” (LS3, 79).

​This guidance is an abstract from 'The World of Nichiren Daishonin Writings' with universal value and application​

With his life, the Daishonin showed us how to attain Buddhahood in this lifetime. “Casting off the transient and revealing the true” means establishing such a firm self that we can overcome any painful hardship, banish darkness, and manifest the essential nature of all phenomena. The more great difficulties we face, the more the life of the world of Buddhahood shines forth. Establishing such a self is the way to attain Buddhahood in this lifetime. It is by manifesting the faith to overcome hardships that we can polish our humanity in a true sense.

​This guidance is an abstract from 'The World of Nichiren Daishonin Writings' with universal value and application​

High Priest Nichikan says: “When one embraces and has faith in this Gohonzon and chants Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, one’s life immediately becomes the object of fundamental devotion of three thousand realms in a single life-moment. It becomes the life of Nichiren Daishonin.” He also says: “When we gain awareness of the object of devotion in terms of the Person, our life manifests the life of the founder Nichiren Daishonin innate to our own lives.... When we gain awareness of the object of devotion in terms of the Law, our life manifests the object of devotion of the high sanctuary of true Buddhism.”We truly are most fortunate to have encountered this teaching. If the goal were to become an ideal, superior or different kind of being, then becoming happy in this life would be unattainable.

​This guidance is an abstract from 'The World of Nichiren Daishonin Writings' with universal value and application​

The Daishonin manifested the life of the Buddha of limitless joy as an ordinary person through and through. If we overlook this point, then the incorrect notion may arise that attaining Buddhahood means becoming a superior being distinct from a human being. Nichiren Daishonin did not give up his life as an ordinary person. Rather, he brilliantly manifested the life of the eternal Buddha within the life of an ordinary person.There is another important point that I would like to note. Namely, this principle also applies to us. When we dedicate our lives to kosen-rufu, overcoming painful suffering and persevering in faith, we, too, can actualize the principle of “casting off the transient and revealing the true.” As ordinary people, we can manifest the same life of the Buddha that the Daishonin possessed.

​This guidance is an abstract from 'The World of Nichiren Daishonin Writings' with universal value and application​

His words, “What greater joy could there be?” perfectly sum up his attitude. How can one develop such an immense state of life? How can a human being achieve such greatness? There is no greater mystery than this. I am confident that this is the power of making a vow. When we dedicate our lives to fulfilling our deep pledge and to correct ideals, our heartsdevelop limitlessly. Buddhism speaks of a “pledge from the remote past.” Such a pledge is the foundation thatenables us to drive away darkness and live in accord with the essential nature of phenomena. Specifically, this means a heart that yearns for the happiness of oneself and others and for the accomplishment of the great vow for kosen-rufu.Absolutely nothing can obstruct the spirit of a person who has awakened to this original vow. Though one’s body may be cut down, absolutely no one can destroy one’s spirit. Such is the power of a person who lives a life of compassion. Even if facing hellish circumstances alone, such a person fears nothing. Rather, those around someone so completely free of fear may feel a sense of trepidation.It could be said that Nichiren Daishonin’s lifetime of facing one great persecution after another proves that the power of a thoroughly developed human spirit is eternal. With his entire being, the Daishonin declared, “Behold the greatness that a human being can attain!”

​This guidance is an abstract from 'The World of Nichiren Daishonin Writings' with universal value and application​

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